International Babywearing Week: Babywearing For Dads

Mothers and babywearing is very common. They go hand-in-hand like peanut butter and jelly. Baby wearing and dads, not so much. However, it’s a trend that continues to grow as dads too want to bond with their little ones. Step aside dads of the 70s. New dads are way more involved in the raising of their babies and babywearing is just one way they prove it.

Dad-Baby Bonding Time

Wearing your child in a baby carrier or sling is a great way to bond with your baby. Dad has a different build, walk, voice, heartbeat, smell, and way of interacting with the world than Mom does, and carrying your baby is an easy way to let your little munchkin experience some of your world. With baby wearing comes physical and mental benefits for infants, but in addition to this, Dad gets to bond with baby on a deeper level. Babies who are worn are significantly more likely to have a strong and secure attachment to the wearer, and that could be you, Dad.

Dads who carry their babies feel more connected with them; in particular, fathers experiencing postnatal depression may find their symptoms eased by the extra bonding time they get from baby wearing. You can feel more empowered as part of your family, and even enhance your relationship with Mom, since she can hand baby off to get some rest, or mom-time.

Babywearing For Dads In Their Everyday Lives

Dads with older children to look after can also wear their children; baby wearing offers a lot of benefits for toddlers, too. If you have a toddler and a younger infant, you can wear the baby, and be better able to chase after the older sibling if you need to.

You don’t have to give up your exercise time or ability to do everyday tasks while carrying your baby – far from it! Many carriers and slings leave your hands free to take care of business. In addition, the simple fact that you’re wearing your child helps you burn calories and build muscle. Yeah!

Baby wearing is an easier way to help care for your child than carrying them in your arms or taking out the stroller. Carrying your child in your arms gets very tiring after a while, but a sling or carrier gives you extra support and does some of the work for you. Strollers are generally designed with a woman’s height and stance in mind; while that’s great for Mom, Dad’s going to be hunched over the stroller and constantly trying not to kick the tires. Baby wearing is a much more comfortable alternative for when you want to take your child out into the world with you.

When you’re out on the town, baby wearing is also very convenient. Your hands are free to take care of whatever you’re out to do and enjoy your day, and you don’t have to worry about terrain or weather slowing down your stroller, or where you’re going to put it once you get to your destination.

Finding The Right Carrier For Dad

If you’re worried that people will think you look silly as a baby wearing dad, don’t be! You’re far from alone; more and more dads are starting to enjoy the benefits of carrying their children. In fact, there are a number of people out there who think baby wearing dads are attractive. When it comes to colors and styles of baby carriers and slings, they aren’t exclusively available in feminine colors. You’ll be able to find a color or print that suits both you and Mom, whether you choose to share a carrier or get one for each of you.

Finding the right baby carrier for Dad, like Mom, means considering your body type as well as your child’s, safety, the climate you live in, and what type of carrier you’d like to use. There are plenty of options out there, and all of them can be used by dads to enjoy their babies more.